Open to the Public

Once grazed by roaming bison and elk, Leif Mountain preserve is a dry gravel hill prairie that is currently grazed with cattle. Grazing allows natural grasses to flourish while stressing non-native cool grasses. LeifMountain hosts a tremendous diversity of prairie, woodland, wetland, and grassland habitat. Nesting birds, prairie butterflies, and a wide assortment of rare and uncommon plants call Leif Mountain Preserve home. In the spring, visitors can use a bird blind to view migrating shorebirds and waterfowl including grebes, herons, harriers, eagles, and hawks.

LocationPope County, west central Minnesota

Size800 acres

PlantsOne of the first wild flowers to bloom in the spring is the Pasque flower, a beautiful purple bell flower with bright yellow anthers. Visitors can also enjoy the sights of purple coneflower, ground plum, needle grass, wild onion, prairie cord grass, and prairie smoke.

AnimalsRegal fritillary butterfly (species of special concern) can be found in Leif Mountain preserve. Declining species of lesser and greater scaup migrate late October prior to ice-up. In addition, visitors can enjoy the sight of local nesting sandhill cranes. As part of a grazing demonstration, 50 cow/calf pairs alternate four different pastures in the preserve to suppress non-native grasses and allow native grasses to flourish.

Why the Conservancy Selected This SiteLeif Mountain preserve is grassland that provides vital eco-services: preventing erosion, purifying water, and absorbing carbon. Grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem in the United States. The purchase of this 800-acre tract increases the size of protected land in this region to 3,000 acres. Leif Mountain and other properties in the represent one of the best opportunities in Minnesota to preserve a large prairie landscape.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is DoingThe focus of this preserve is to restore the native prairie. The Conservancy is doing this through active grazing, prescribed burns, restoring oak savanna, monitoring and removing invasive species, and eliminating invasive woody vegetation in over 400 acres.

Directions

From Paynesville, take State Highway 55 west to Belgrade.From Belgrade, take County Road 19 west 7 miles to County Road 18. Follow County Road 18 south (County Road 18 turns into County Road 1 for 3 miles). Take a right (going west) on 80th Street NW.Leif Mountain is located on the right side of 80th Street NW. Look for the preserve sign.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 53-0242652) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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